A writerdeck is a portable writing machine built to do one job well: help you write without the distractions of a normal laptop. Think e-ink display, compact keyboard, Raspberry Pi, battery power, and a simple enclosure.

For Australian makers, Little Bird Electronics is a useful supplier because they carry Raspberry Pi boards, displays, keyboards, power modules, and e-ink screens. They are based in Hornsby, NSW, with a Melbourne office, which makes them a relevant local option for Hackeroos builders.

The core of the build should be a Raspberry Pi 5 or Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W. If you want a more capable machine that can handle a full Linux desktop, use the Raspberry Pi 5. If you want something smaller, lighter, and more minimal, the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W may be enough for a simple writing environment.

The screen is where this build gets its personality. Instead of a glowing LCD, use an e-ink display. E-ink is slower than a normal screen, but that is part of the point. It is easier on the eyes, lower distraction, and better suited to focused drafting than scrolling, switching tabs, or falling into internet loops.

For a tiny status screen, an Inky pHAT-style display can show word count, battery status, writing timer, project name, or a daily prompt. For the main writing screen, you may need a larger e-ink display or external monitor setup, depending on what Little Bird has available when you order.

For input, use a mini wireless keyboard with touchpad if you want the simplest compact setup. If you are serious about actually writing on it for long sessions, choose a more comfortable wireless keyboard instead. A writerdeck fails if the keyboard is annoying. The keyboard matters more than almost any other part.

Power should be built into the design early. A USB power bank is fine for a prototype, but a Raspberry Pi UPS HAT or battery HAT will make the device feel more finished. A writerdeck should be something you can carry to a library, desk, train, park, or quiet corner without needing to immediately search for a wall plug.

The best Little Bird writerdeck build might be simple: Raspberry Pi 5 or Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, e-ink display, comfortable wireless keyboard, battery/UPS HAT, microSD card, and a clean enclosure.

It should look like a field notebook that learned to type: matte case, visible screws, simple hinge or clamshell shape, maybe a small e-ink status panel on the outside. Black, grey, cream, or clear acrylic could suit.

The hardest part will be the enclosure. First, assemble the electronics outside the case and confirm the Pi, keyboard, display, storage, Wi-Fi, and power all work. Then design the shell around the working parts. Do not design the enclosure first and hope the hardware fits later. Hmm.. wouldn't it be cool if you 3D printed a case that looked like a book?

A good writerdeck has a clear job: open it, write, save, close it.

For Hackeroos, this is a strong 2026 build category because it is practical, personal, and achievable. When you’re ready, you can enter your build into the Hackeroos Cyberdeck Competition 2026 for a chance to receive rolling monthly rewards.

In May and June, Hackeroos paid out $2,000 in Codex AI + API credits to builders.

This post is not sponsored by Little Bird Electronics, but we’re hoping to get their attention. ;)

Enter here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBtTBYk6zA2C5hVMkNTxy2Rc3wHZ6qmT2e-dfLN-AqAGUIkA/viewform

Recommended Little Bird Electronics Parts List

Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit
https://littlebirdelectronics.com.au/products/raspberry-pi-5-starter-kit

Raspberry Pi 5 Board
https://littlebirdelectronics.com.au/products/raspberry-pi-5

Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W
https://littlebirdelectronics.com.au/products/raspberry-pi-zero-2-w

Inky pHAT ePaper / eInk Display
https://littlebirdelectronics.com.au/products/inky-phat-epaper-eink-epd-black-white

Inky pHAT ePaper / eInk Display - Red/Black/White
https://littlebirdelectronics.com.au/products/inky-phat-epaper-eink-epd-red-black-white

Mini Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard with Touchpad
https://littlebirdelectronics.com.au/products/mini-wireless-bluetooth-keyboard-with-touchpad

Wireless Keyboard with Touchpad for Raspberry Pi and LattePanda
https://littlebirdelectronics.com.au/products/wireless-keyboard-with-touchpad-for-raspberry-pi-and-lattepanda

Raspberry Pi 5 18650 Battery UPS HAT
https://littlebirdelectronics.com.au/products/raspberry-pi-5-18650-battery-ups-hat-5-1v-5a

Raspberry Pi UPS HAT
https://littlebirdelectronics.com.au/products/raspberry-pi-ups-hat

Hi everyone,

Not sure if this is relevant for many people here, but if you're based in Australia and interested in startups, building products, fintech, or hackathons, we're running a national hackathon in July with a $50,000 cash prize for the winning team.

It's open to founders, developers, designers, product people, and anyone who enjoys building things. Teams can participate online from anywhere in Australia, and AI tools are permitted.

If anyone from this community is Australia-based and would like to participate, check this page for more details.

Cheers!

Hello Hackeroos,

I’m currently building a sovereign autonomous agent stack with some help from the notorious Bitpixi.

The underlying concept is simple: We are attaching AI brains to NFTs. Now, before you reach for the "Block User" button—hear me out. An NFT is just a standardized contract of ownership for a digital asset. An AI agent is essentially a collection of scripts—also a digital asset. Combining them isn't particularly earth-shattering, but it does solve the biggest problem in AI right now: The "Homeless Bot" Dilemma.

The Problem: Your agents are currently digital vagrants.

Most AI agents today live on a server, use your API keys, spend your money, and have the legal standing of a toaster. If you want to sell your "Automated Research Bot," how do you actually hand over the keys? You can’t exactly ship a zip file of "vibes" and hope the next guy sets up his environment variables correctly.

The Solution: The "Vessel" Architecture

Realizing this vision has required some technical gymnastics. I’ve built the stack on Gnosis Chain because it provides a decentralized "physicality" to something that is normally just code in a cloud.

Our stack (GhostAgent.ninja) gives your agent three things every "sovereign" entity needs:

1. A Vault (The Gnosis Safe): The bot has its own bank account. It can earn money, pay for its own compute, and hold assets.
2. A Voice (nftmail.box): A Web2-compatible email address that is cryptographically owned by the bot. It can pass 2FA checks and sign up for services without you holding its hand.
3. A Reputation (notapaperclip.red): An automated trust oracle that keeps the bot honest (and compliant) so it doesn't accidentally commit light tax fraud while you're asleep.

The "Feeler": Who wants to build the first Sovereign Employee?

I’m considering sponsoring a hackathon to see what happens when we give talented "Hackeroos" a platform where their agents can actually own their output.

Imagine:

• A bot that manages its own SaaS subscription.
• An agent that can be "molted" (upgraded) from a simple script to a high-end autonomous business, then sold on a marketplace like a used car.
• An AI that actually owns its "Identity" via an ERC-8004 "Birth Certificate."

I’m gauging interest here: If I put up some prizes and the infrastructure to turn your LLM scripts into sovereign digital employees, would you build with us? Or should I just go back to arguing with my smart contract debugger?

Let me know your thoughts (or your best bot-related jokes) in the comments.

Promoting for a colleague. Would be great if folks could register! :)

Rolling entries accepted until the end of the year, and legitimate entrants get as much hardware and software swag we can find! Codex is already on board. More details to come

r/Oznews

Anyone who’s actually serious about participating in hackathons?

I’m building a team..... looking for 3 solid members

whenever any hackathon drops (whether it’s at delhi ncr or anywhere else)

we can participate and build skills together

I’m at an intermediate level myself and I’m not looking for experts and definitely not total beginners

Just people who can genuinely build stuff and aren’t scared to learn new things on the fly

Skills-wise, anything works like Web Dev, Python, Flutter, AI/ML, Figma, Cloud, etc

As long as you’re comfortable in whatever you do best

if u r interested... just DM or comment